WW1 binoculars with some history.

SpitfireIV

Won this set of binoculars off e-bay uk a couple of weeks back and recieved them early last week. Total price was €33, which isnt bad, but they can be got for cheaper.

This type of binoculars is whats known as 'Galilean' binoculars, ie a 'straight through' view, basically two telescopes side by side which gives you a rather narrow view.



Anyway, the binoculars are British issue (clearly stamped with the 'crows foot') and are dated 1916, also marked with the leather case makers name 'W.SWART'. It has all the loops and attachments for going onto an officers Sam Browne belt (and must have been used a lot in such a manner as the loops and such at the back are well worn smooth).





Inside the case the binoculars sit comfortably (like two big sad eyes looking out at you when you open the case )



The bino's are in really nice shape! They would have been made in brass them giving a coating of black, which has worn out on the highpoints. The bino body and sun shields have a leather coating which is in great shape and has a nice patina.









The lenses are in good shape (they just needed a little cleaning to remove dust, fluff etc) and they give a crystal clear view. The adjustment wheel is a little stiff, I guess this is because oil or grease etc in the action may have clogged it up, I havent had a look at it. There is a makers mark/Logo under the sun shield, but I cant make it out, it appears to be a globe?




As I mentioned, this type of 'Galilean' bino's give a rather limited view, almost like looking through a pipe, unlike the wide full view you get with prismatic binoculars.


The seller however never mentioned the fact that these binoculars were named, but low and behold, under the carry handle of the case they are in fact named....


To a PO (Petty Officer) LAWSON, D Coy. 'DRAKE'.

With some help of the guys at the Great War Forum I was able to find out who this guy was and in turn get his full service record for the war!

He was Bristol Z/328 James Lawson of 6 Drummond Road, Glasgow. Whom was a 'rope splicer' prior to joining up.

James joined up with Drake, a Royal Naval Division, land bound sailors fighting as infantryand and was at Gallipoli and France, some highlights from his service record: (I've added the italic text)

10.6.15. Report recieved wounded nr. D'nelles (Dardanelles).

28.6.15. W.O. Report, No. 27582. Admitted to 17th General Hospital Alexandria on 9th June. Slight gunshot wound to left leg. NOK informed.


May 1916 seen him being attached to 'Brake' battalion:
May 1916. Attached to 2nd "Drake" Battalion, "C" Company, Pay No/1277.


July 1916 was when he was attached to D Coy of Drake and it was in June of '16 that he was promoted to Petty Officer and transferred to Drake Battalion B.E.F.

3.7.16. Recd. D.O. 167, 27.6.16. (2nd Drake B'Ford) Promoted Petty Officer, commencing, 27.6.16.


So now we have PO Lawson in D coy of Drake, with a 1916 dated pair of field glasses, so we know he 'made his mark' sometime after the 27th June 1916!

9.9.16. D.O./66. (Drake Battn.) Disemb. at Boulonge from England on 10.7.16. & Joined Base Depot, Etaples 12.7.16.

January of '17 he came down with influenza and was invalided home for almost a month. By October of 1917 he had a mild case of 'Trench feet'.

From now on our man goes a little off the rails! :cool:

5.11.17. B.E.F. D.O. 103. Admonished 10.10.17. Neglect of duty when in charge of quarter guard, 6.10.17.

17.4.18. 2nd Res.Bn/107. Tried by D.C.M 11.4.18. and was sentenced to be reduced to the rank of L.S. (leading seaman) for:- "When on active service striking his superior officer, being on the execution of his duty."

1.5.18. 2nd Res Bn/121. Tried by R.C.M. 29.4.18. and was sentenced to be reduced to the ranks and forfeits 3 days pay R.W. for:- "Absenting himself without leave".

21.5.18. 2nd Res Bn/141. Tried by D.C.M. 14.5.18 and was sentenced to undergo detention for 1 year, for :- "deserving his majesty's service".
Ref. D.O. 141. the charge in this instance was: "Breaking away from Draft at Woking whilst proceeding overseas 29.4.18, and remaining absent until apprehended at Ripley at 11am by the civil powers, 30.4.18."



By June of that year he was released from detention and sent back to France where he recieved a gun shot wound to his right hand on the 28th of Sept.


So there you have it, a bit of history about the guy whom once owned my bino's, it has really brought them to life for me! The only thing is that there is no picture of 'Lawson' included with the records, there is a description though, even down to the tatoo's he had! He servived the rest of the war and was demobbed in February of 1919. The last entry in his record is made in 1927, which reads:

7.4.27. F.257 to man. S.C.23710 (then handwritten text which I cant really make out) Gen. Char (general character?) "Good", on demob "V.G".

So here's to James Lawson, the Scottish trouble maker! :P

kowloon

Excellent find Croppy but he was probably considered quiet and reserved for a Glaswegian .

arnhem44

isn't that a nice bit of history,your lucky the seller didn't do his homework and add all that to his listing,it would of sent the price alot higher:p,still great info CB and as you say adds life to something,theres alot to be said for the national archives,its a pity they don't hold all the records.I'm sure if you done further research theres more to be found out on this man,the London gazzete,the census records and more of his navy records could be found if you knew where he was based to start with,still a great story and a lovely set of bino's,well done ya lucky devil:D